Over $6,500 has been raised in the first four years of the event, including a record $2,400 last year that was helped by generous donors "buying" points for the faculty/staff team to make the game competitive after the team of student leaders had taken a significant lead. The 2009 game went into overtime for the second straight year, with the students coming out on top, 136-124, for their third victory in four tries.
The faculty/staff team will be helped with the anticipated addition of women's basketball assistant coaches Joy Hollingsworth and Kristen O'Neill, both former players at Pac-10 schools. Kevin Eggers, recently named as Seattle University's eighth Truman Scholar in as many years, will participate on the team of student leaders, as will student-athletes M'ily Reiter from women's soccer and Andrew Martinez of the men's swim team.
Seattle University Executive Vice President Tim Leary will once again coach the faculty/staff team, looking for his second victory in three years. Hoping to guide the student team to another victory will be senior basketball player Taylor Olson and senior swimmers Ben Guthrie and Bryson Chiu.
Money is already being collected on behalf of the charity thanks to Penny Wars that are taking place in the residence halls. There is a suggested $2 donation at the door next Tuesday, and fans will be eligible to participate in promotional games throughout the night. At halftime, Seattle University alumnus John Melgard and his daughter Erin will share their story of how the Make-A-Wish Foundation helped them.
The Seattle University Student-Athlete Advisory Committee was formed in part to encourage more involvement of the student-athletes in campus and community projects. The organization and execution of this event has become one of the major projects that members of SAAC look forward to every year.